Discovering Paris' 2nd Arrondissement: the Vivienne Gallery

Written by Paris on 8/5/16

Nestled in the heart of Paris's 2nd arrondissement, the Galerie Vivienne is leading towards rue Vivienne, rue des Petits-Champs and rue de la Banque. You can not miss it !

Ideally located between the Royal Palace and the Grands Boulevards, the Galerie Vivienne, built in 1823 under the architect Jean Delannoy's instructions received the title of Historic Monument in 1974. A well deserved title given the beauty of the place !

The gallery practically remains unchanged, which might be the reason why so many visitors have been coming over the past two centuries. Shoemakers, tailors, florists, restaurants, teahouses.... The gallery keeps on surprising its visitors by reinventing itself. The key to success ? Perhaps, since it is one of the only enclosed shopping malls that works as well in Paris.

Its architecture is an inspiration of archaeological sites of the third century BC. J.C. to 79. An architectural style that we do not often see in Paris. The colorful and structural mosaic floors attract many curious visitors. You can actually get to see its creator signature on it: Giandomenico Facchina.

The Galerie Vivienne knows how to keep up to date by always offering "the unexpected" to its visitors. The gallery is mostly a success thanks to its "haut-de-gamme" boutiques and art galleries.

Jean-Paul Gaultier has roused the gallery's resurrection 30 years ago. However, things have changed and the legendary Jean-Paul Gaultier boutique has been recently replaced by something quite unusual...

Indeed, in 2016, two young "restaurateurs" seized the opportunity and inaugurated their restaurant: Daroco, a fancy and trendy Italian trattoria.